Methods for operating a plasma torch
AssigneeThe ESAB Group, Inc.
InventorsGeoffrey H. Putnam, Christopher Vincent Braudis, Sr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for plasma piercing a workpiece using a plasma cutting torch. According to one implementation the method includes providing the plasma cutting torch at a first pierce height above a workpiece to initiate a piercing operation at the first pierce height for a first duration, during the piercing operation, lowering the plasma cutting torch to a second pierce height above the workpiece for a second duration, and lowering the plasma cutting torch to a cut height.
Claims20
A method of plasma piercing using a plasma cutting torch, the method comprising:
- initiating an arc in the plasma cutting torch;
- providing the plasma cutting torch at a first pierce height above a workpiece to initiate a piercing operation at the first pierce height for a first duration, the plasma cutting torch staying at or below the first pierce height during the first duration;
- during the piercing operation, lowering the plasma cutting torch to a second pierce height above the workpiece for a second duration, the plasma cutting torch staying at or below the second pierce height during the second duration;
- completing the piercing operation without subsequently raising the plasma cutting torch above the second pierce height;
- and
- lowering the plasma cutting torch to a cut height.
An apparatus comprising:
- one or more computer processors;
- one or more computer readable storage media;
- and
- program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media for execution by at least one of the one or more computer processors, the program instructions comprising instructions to:
- initiate an arc in a plasma cutting torch;
- provide the plasma cutting torch at a first pierce height above a workpiece to initiate a piercing operation at the first pierce height for a first duration, the plasma cutting torch stays at or below the first pierce height during the first duration;
- during the piercing operation, lower the plasma cutting torch to a second pierce height above the workpiece for a second duration, the plasma cutting torch stays at or below the second pierce height during the second duration;
- complete the piercing operation without subsequently raising the plasma cutting torch above the second pierce height;
- and
- lower the plasma cutting torch to a cut height.
A computer program product comprising one or more computer readable storage media collectively having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a computer to cause the computer to:
- initiate an arc in a plasma cutting torch;
- provide the plasma cutting torch at a first pierce height above a workpiece to initiate a piercing operation at the first pierce height for a first duration, the plasma cutting torch stays at or below the first pierce height during the first duration;
- during the piercing operation, lower the plasma cutting torch to a second pierce height above the workpiece for a second duration, the plasma cutting torch stays at or below the second pierce height during the second duration;
- complete the piercing operation without subsequently raising the plasma cutting torch above the second pierce height;
- and
- lower the plasma cutting torch to a cut height.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.